once you keep BC away from theo, he is a pretty good negotiator. Dodgers will be improved but at an extraordinarily high price. if they get one or 2 key injuries, they are done. its great or bust with them going forward. we cleaned up their farm system, paid ONLY $10-12M in cash in TOTAL (far less than we ate for rentaria), give them damaged goods in beckett and cc and by the way.. of all the places GONZO has batted... DODGER stadium is where he has his WORSE batting and power averages. this was a classic case of ask for the moon and maybe you will get stars. ok, you want gonzo, y not with beckett.. ok,, y not with crawford.. oh you're really desperate, y not the punto out back and on yep.. we arent kicking in any real cash as theo was prone to do in these kinds of deals. now that we agree on these perimeters.. before i get you from over the barrel with your pants down to your ankles, we need to go over what we want back. i'm ben cherington and wont be doing any more YOUK type deals. so to make it clear to the entire league there is a new sheriff in town, before i'm done with your azzz, i want a guy in loney who was considered untouchable just 2 years ago and is under 30 in the last year of his deal, as well as 4 of your top major league ready prospects, while giving you absolutely nothing back to replenish your already-depleted stock. here is a summary of the young guys:

1. jerry sands: the guy has real raw power, something lacking in the sox farm system. as of now, he has the most power we have. thanks dodgers! Sands, 24, is hitting .244/.325/.376/.701 in 70 big league games over the last two years. He was hitting .303/.380/.531/.911 with 24 homers in the hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League this year. there's a lot of upside here and lots to work with and he plays multiple positions very well.

2. ivan DeJesus has hit .231/.282/.277/.559 in 40 big league games over the last two years. Baseball America describes him as a potential second baseman who can also play third and short with a line drive swing and good on-base skills. The 2005 second-rounder is a career .297/.369/.389/.758 hitter in the minors. he suffered a broken leg which has hurt his mobility a bit but could still recover what he lost with another year to train. at worse, he is nick punto, not bad for a utility pinch guy. BETTER than lillibridge who we got for youker.

3. Rubby De La Rosa is only 23 but has had recent health issues but possesses considerable upside. In 13 games (10 starts) last year, he was 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA, 8.9 strikeouts and 4.6 walks per nine innings. He’s a 6'1 right-hander with a big arm, having been clocked at over 100 mph in the past. He is coming back off of Tommy John surgery.

4. ALLEN WEBSTER is the prize. he's ranked the No. 95 prospect in the game by Baseball America entering this year, is 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA, 8.7 strikeouts and 4.2 walks per nine with Double-A Chattanooga. he's been compared to kevin brown at his peak and when he's on is unhittable. he's viewed as a top of a rotation prospect. Baseball America said that he compared in some respects to Derek Lowe while offering the following scouting report:

“Webster shows plus pitches across the board when he has everything working. He has an easy delivery and 90-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 mph with plenty of sink, helping him generate grounders all day long. He throws both a slider and curveball that are plus pitches at times, though at others he gets caught between the two. He has some trouble staying on top of his curve but it shows sharp three-quarters bite when it’s on. Webster’s changeup could be his best pitch, featuring sink and fade at 79-83 mph, though some scouts think he tips it off by slowing his arm speed.”

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.Posted by jpBsSoxFan

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.Posted by jpBsSoxFan

How did all those "unproven no names" the Rangers got for Mark Texeira work out? How did those two "unproven no names" the Sox got for Heathcliff Slocumb work out? How did those "unproven no names" the Indians got for Bartolo Colon work out? Are you really this ignorant?

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.Posted by jpBsSoxFan

Your the one that is delusional....... This was a great trade for the Red Sox ..... Have you been out of T-BALL long ???? Addition by a whole lot of subtraction !!!!

The Red Sox were fortunate to get anything back from the Dodgers in light of the Dodgers taking on almost all of the onerous contracts of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett.

However, don't kid yourself that Allen Webster, Rubby de la Rosa, Jerry Sands and Ivan DeJesus are elite prospects (or former prospects in the cases of de la Rosa and Sands).

What are the chances that the combined six-year WAR* of those four players will exceed 10.0? What are the chances that Webster or de la Rosa posts a single-season WAR of at least the 1.8 Josh Beckett has posted in his disasterous 2012 season?

From a financial standpoint, the Red Sox made a great trade. Nevertheless, Sox fans should temper their expectations of the acquired players.* Wins Above Replacement

The Red Sox were fortunate to get anything back from the Dodgers in light of the Dodgers taking on almost all of the onerous contracts of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett. However, don't kid yourself that Allen Webster, Rubby de la Rosa, Jerry Sands and Ivan DeJesus are elite prospects (or former prospects in the cases of de la Rosa and Sands). What are the chances that the combined six-year WAR* of those four players will exceed 10.0? What are the chances that Webster or de la Rosa posts a single-season WAR of at least the 1.8 Josh Beckett has posted in his disasterous 2012 season? From a financial standpoint, the Red Sox made a great trade. Nevertheless, Sox fans should temper their expectations of the acquired players. * Wins Above ReplacementPosted by hill55

De La Rosa is a "former" prospect. The kid is 23. He's already in the mid to high 90's again soon after TJ surgery. Are you saying he's no longer a prospect because he didn't make some prospect list? Webster has been compared to Kevin Brown and also has terrific stuff. I'm not saying either will make it, but just because they didn't make some prospect list that is basically a crap shoot, it doesn't mean they won't.

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : De La Rosa is a "former" prospect. The kid is 23. He's already in the mid to high 90's again soon after TJ surgery. Are you saying he's no longer a prospect because he didn't make some prospect list? Webster has been compared to Kevin Brown and also has terrific stuff. I'm not saying either will make it, but just because they didn't make some prospect list that is basically a crap shoot, it doesn't mean they won't. Posted by jasko2248

The widely accepted definition of "prospect" is a pitcher who has not exceeded 50 innings pitched at the MLB level (or a position player who has not exceeded 130 at-bats at the MLB level).

However, don't kid yourself that Allen Webster, Rubby de la Rosa, Jerry Sands and Ivan DeJesus are elite prospects (or former prospects in the cases of de la Rosa and Sands). What are the chances that the combined six-year WAR* of those four players will exceed 10.0? What are the chances that Webster or de la Rosa posts a single-season WAR of at least the 1.8 Josh Beckett has posted in his disasterous 2012 season? From a financial standpoint, the Red Sox made a great trade. Nevertheless, Sox fans should temper their expectations of the acquired players. * Wins Above ReplacementPosted by hill55[/QUOTE]

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : The widely accepted definition of "prospect" is a pitcher who has not exceeded 50 innings pitched at the MLB level (or a position player who has not exceeded 130 at-bats at the MLB level). Rubby de la Rosa has pitched 61.1 innings at the MLB level.Posted by hill55

Okay, he's now a "former" prospect. Let's call him a young kid with a live arm that has the potential to be a very good Major League pitcher.

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : The widely accepted definition of "prospect" is a pitcher who has not exceeded 50 innings pitched at the MLB level (or a position player who has not exceeded 130 at-bats at the MLB level). Rubby de la Rosa has pitched 61.1 innings at the MLB level.Posted by hill55

He was a Dela Rosa was a prospect who is coming off TJ, if he is healthy he will be a dymanic arm for the Sox.

However, don't kid yourself that Allen Webster , Rubby de la Rosa, Jerry Sands and Ivan DeJesus are elite prospects (or former prospects in the cases of de la Rosa and Sands). What are the chances that the combined six-year WAR* of those four players will exceed 10.0? What are the chances that Webster or de la Rosa posts a single-season WAR of at least the 1.8 Josh Beckett has posted in his disasterous 2012 season? From a financial standpoint, the Red Sox made a great trade. Nevertheless, Sox fans should temper their expectations of the acquired players. * Wins Above Replacement Posted by hill55

i can easily see all of FIVE of these players on the roster to start next season! that's called a nice trade. webster perhaps may shine in spring training and be sent to pawtucket before being called up later in the season. or he may so good that he forces our hand.

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : How did all those "unproven no names" the Rangers got for Mark Texeira work out? How did those two "unproven no names" the Sox got for Heathcliff Slocumb work out? How did those "unproven no names" the Indians got for Bartolo Colon work out? Are you really this ignorant?Posted by jasko2248

considering the 2 no names for Slocumb were Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek, I'd say it worked out pretty damned well, don't you?

The Indians got Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore- all major leaguers- for Colon- will Sizemore's injuried have plagued him, there's no doubting what Cliff Lee has done, and Phillips is an all-star in Cinci.

while prospects don't always pan out, the 3 cases you chose show how they CAN and DO pan out in many cases.

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : considering the 2 no names for Slocumb were Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek, I'd say it worked out pretty damned well, don't you? The Rangers got staff ace Matt Harrison, former closer Neftali Feliz, starting SS Elvis Andrus, and our catcher Salty in the Tex deal.. I'd say they did well. The Indians got Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore- all major leaguers- for Colon- will Sizemore's injuried have plagued him, there's no doubting what Cliff Lee has done, and Phillips is an all-star in Cinci. while prospects don't always pan out, the 3 cases you chose show how they CAN and DO pan out in many cases.Posted by smkelly

It's telling that in 2012 you went back to 1997, 2002 and 2007 to find trades in which the prospects panned out.

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.Posted by jpBsSoxFan

You are simply stupid. Ironically, the masses were praying that BC could dump CC and Josh for nearly a year now. AND, AGON just isn't the impact type player any of us had hoped he would be. Nice player, YES, but he has ZERO charisma and nearly no leadership qualities. Him being the Hook in this deal is EXACTLY what WE needed to use because ultimately, he is a dissappointment too! Of course, only those who understand what was really wrong with this team before the trade will aggree. They lacked real discipline and have too few leaders. Pedey is just not imposing enough to do it alone! The only delusional person on this blog is you. Now then, SHUT UP!

i can easily see all of FIVE of these players on the roster to start next season! that's called a nice trade. webster perhaps may shine in spring training and be sent to pawtucket before being called up later in the season. or he may so good that he forces our hand.Posted by COMMUNIST-CONTRARIAN

If we see all five of these guys on the roster to start next season it will mean that the FO sold the Sox and own an AA franchise.

Are you for real or just delusional ? The Sox got 5 unproven no names in this trade. How can that be robbery on Ben's part ? The only robbery is of the fans who will see a doormat team for years to come.Posted by jpBsSoxFan

JP,

The subject line is definitely an over statement but the author is not delusional, just being overly hopefull. But you're guilty of being overly negative in the opposite direction. The RS still retain a core of fine players to build around but the Red Sox will need to find a way to rebuild the pitching staff, figure out what's going on with Lester, find a way to sign Ellsbury, etc. The future may not be as bright as you like but it is also not all that bleak. They may struggle for a few years but with some of the youngsters on the way, a few proper free agent signings, etc this club can contend for the American League East again.

In Response to Re: BREAKING NEWS: FBI looking for Cherington for a TOTAL steal of a trade, have you reviewed what we got? : considering the 2 no names for Slocumb were Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek, I'd say it worked out pretty damned well, don't you? The Rangers got staff ace Matt Harrison, former closer Neftali Feliz, starting SS Elvis Andrus, and our catcher Salty in the Tex deal.. I'd say they did well. The Indians got Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore- all major leaguers- for Colon- will Sizemore's injuried have plagued him, there's no doubting what Cliff Lee has done, and Phillips is an all-star in Cinci. while prospects don't always pan out, the 3 cases you chose show how they CAN and DO pan out in many cases.Posted by smkelly

Ummmm...you DO understand that the reason I chose those 3 deals was because I WAS trying to make the point that those prospects DID work out, right? Am I missing something?

ok let me get this straight, in order for this trade to be a good one for some, Ben was supposed to have traded his bad contracts worth 270 million AND received All Star players and blue chip prospects as well...

Forgive me if I am appear to be simple here, but, as I understand things... the Red Sox paid the Dodgers 12 million dollars to take roughly 250 million dollars in payroll off their hands. That deal alone is phenomenal. Also the Red Sox received in return 5 players, two of who could arguably become, at least serviceable major league pitchers. Icing on the cake. I'd have to say... Good Deal!!!